Men’s Soccer Falls in a Shootout to Army West Point, 4-2

Friday, August 28

New York, N.Y.

7:00 p.m.

Columbia

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Army West Point

1-0-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Army West Point	2	2	4
Columbia	0	2	2

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.

Men’s Soccer Falls in a Shootout to Army West Point, 4-2

8/28/2026 10:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Match Book Photo Gallery

Myrvang and Heyward score in 2026 season opener

NEW YORK — The Columbia men's soccer team outshot Army West Point 18-8, but a relentless Black Knights attack capitalized when it mattered most to hand the Lions a 4-2 defeat in Friday night's season opener at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. Army improved to 1-0-2 on the year.

Columbia created dangerous early chances, hitting the woodwork in the 10th minute on a shot by Henning Myrvang. Andrew Hilton II followed with a header off the rebound that forced a save from Army keeper Collin Gilbert.

Despite Columbia having the better of it early on, the Black Knights broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. After a quick build-up through Kasem Minzey and Nicholas Berardi, Jack De Simone collected a through ball in close and finished past Kai Zeruhn to put Army ahead, 1-0.

Army doubled its advantage less than seven minutes later off a set piece. Ronald Zhai delivered a corner kick into the box. Zeruhn punched the initial ball out, but Jubril Bamgbala redirected a header into the net to make it 2-0 heading into halftime.

Each team recorded a handful of shots in the opening frame. Army's keeper, Gilbert, made three saves to keep Columbia off the board.

The Lions turned up the pressure after the break and pulled one back in the 60th minute. Luke Zielinski tapped a pass ahead to Myrvang, who drove 25 yards through the attacking third before striking a clean shot inside the left post to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The momentum was short-lived, as Army responded just under four minutes later. Curtis Boozer sent a long throw into the box. Kelly Cooper rose up to head the ball at the near post, sending it off the far post and in to restore the Black Knights' two-goal cushion.

In the 69th minute, Army struck again. This time, a loose ball from Bamgbala fell to Zhai at the top of the 18-yard box, who slotted a shot inside the right post to push the score to 4-1.

Columbia answered back immediately with a debut goal by first-year Ethan Heyward. A floating ball into the box rattled between Luke Zielinski and an Army defender. Heyward got in behind the back line at the near post and angled a finish past Gilbert to narrow the score to 4-2.

The Lions pushed hard for another comeback over the final 20 minutes, outshooting Army 11-3 in the second period. Substitutes Stepan Kapranov and Fadel Kone generated late chances in the box, but Gilbert made two crucial saves down the stretch to seal the victory for the visitors.

Columbia will have eight days to prepare for its next game, hosting Fairfield next Saturday, September 5. The opening whistle at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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